Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Spring Blossoms

As I stitch my happy quilt it strikes me that the pretty hexie flowers are mirroring what is happening in the garden. As I stitch my quilt it occurs to me that perhaps I should call this quilt, Spring Blossoms. I know, I know such a deep and meaningful name (NOT) but as I gaze at the pretty hexie flowers and as Spring is " 'bustin' out all over" down here..........Spring Blossoms it is. Rarely do I give my quilts a name. I don't know why. Perhaps because something brilliant never seems to drop from my brainpain. Sometimes, oh alright most of the time, the obvious is not so obvious to me.



I have been toing and froing with how to border this pretty.  For the past week I have pulled out fabric after fabric to audition as a border. One of those long country drives even landed me at  a fabric store where I purchased a fabric with butterflies fluttering all over, but alas, when I got home the fabric, pretty though it is, didn't really sing the happiest tune on the quilt.




I thought perhaps a trailing vine with little hexie flowers dancing around the border would sing a merry tune, but alas......no! The song it sang was too loud and raucous. Though I love the trailing  vine of hexies, they detracted from the hexie blocks. It just looked too busy, even for me. No matter what I did, nothing pleased my beady little eye. Also, as this quilt is going to rest atop my bed, the trailing hexies wouldn't be visually pleasing at the foot of the bed. They would become all scrunched up in the wrought iron bed head. Though, because I love the hexie trailing vine  idea, I will file this concept away in my brainpan for another day, for another quilt.


After much belly button gazing and even more deep, deep contemplation, I decided to fence the flowers in with a pretty, scrappy fabric border. Decisions, decisions.......sometimes these earth shattering  are deeply troubling. =)


So, in repect to my Spring Blossoms, the alien thought to me that "less is more" persisted with an alarming intensity. What??? "Less is More"?? Really??? Yes, I speak not with forked tongue. In the case of this quilt less is definitely more! Who would've thought, me, who more often than not is of the opinion that "more is never enough" has uttered such a statement! I am that gal who always adds an extra something to whatever she fashions. An extra flower, an extra embellishment, an extra button....an extra this...an extra that........more, more, more! I am that "this pretty needs a little something more" kinda gal.

Before that quizzical look on your faces becomes a deeply furrowed brow at my out-of-character utterances, let me assure you that it is only with the finishing of this quilt top that I have decided that less is definitely more. As each hexie flower is bordered with strips of fabric, the addition of scrappy strips around the border seems a perfect fit. I rather love the simplicity of my Spring Blossoms. I think it is reminiscent of those 1930's quilts, which I adore.








Sweet Maisie wanted to show you her coiffured locks. She has been primped to try to tame that wild and fuzzy hair of hers. So, so much easier now to chase ducks through the ponds and paddocks and up dem dar hills......and back down again. No more bad hair days.....at least for a little while.


Happy with my finished Spring Blossoms quilt top, I now have to decide how I will quilt it; by hand or by machine. I rather like the idea of butterflies fluttering amongst the hexie flowers but I might put it aside for a little while for more belly button gazing and deep contemplation. These things cannot be rushed. =)

With the chatting of the progress of my Spring Blossoms' quilt finished, let us now chat about the Spring flowers that have slowly unfurled in the garden this week. Yesterday morning as the garden was slowly being illuminated by the awakening of a beautiful new day, I picked a bunch of  Waratah flowers. Waratahs are native to the southern eastern states of Australia; New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
They are beautiful flowers ranging from pink to red. The flowers are large, brightly coloured and very showy, consisting of many small flowers densely clustered into a compact head or spike. The Waratah bush we have is a very pretty, mid pink.



So.....with my pretty bunch of Waratah flowers clustered together, I began to play. =) Oh, and by the way, before you scroll down and down and down......to gaze upon the pretty Waratahs, let me assure you, the "less is more" concept does not enter into the equation of  the number of photos. When looking at photos of florescence delight, more is definitely more. What can I say. As ever, yet again I got carried away......just a little!



Looking through the front window reveals pretty blossom trees and Camellias blooming.


A black enamel bucket and a vintage Italian coverlet shows off the pinky red Waratahs perfectly.


An overload of pinky red sumptuousness! I must admit, my heart is skipping a beat or two. =)




Isn't the  Italian, velvet coverlet divine?? This luscious pretty normally keeps the floor of our guest room snuggly warm. =)


The Waratah bush truly does gift the prettiest of flowers.



That's it for playing with pretty flowers for now. Time waiteth for no man........nor this woman. As ever, thank you so much for visiting my colourful Spring place. I wonder what pretty flowers will pop up in the garden next week??


Aah.....Spring blossoms inside, Spring blossoms outside.....such is my life!

Until the next time............


42 comments:

  1. Hello Kim ....I LoVe the way you have bordered your quilt & "fenced your flowers in" !! It looks perfect :-) Your waratah flowers are amazing - they remind me a teeny bit of protea flowers ... but what gorgeous rich colours they are. I hope you have a lovely week playing with your beautiful fabrics & flowers my friend So much gorgeous eye candy in this post. Xxx

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  2. That's a pretty field of *wildflowers* around your hexie blooms. I'm still gawping at all your waratahs - they are magnificent!

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    1. Hello lovely Ann, The Waratahs are amazing this year; I don't know why. I have never posted about these flowers before. I thought it is about time I shared the beauty of the Waratah with the world. =)) Hope you are enjoying are fabulous week, Ann. Thanks for visiting. Kim Xx

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  3. It is very autumnal here, rain and wind battering my poor house. It is lovely to see some Spring colour when colours are fading to darker and muter tones here. Happy quilting! May I suggest hand quilting with a contrasting thread? All shades of the rainbow would be my choice. xx

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  4. So happy to have started my day reading your wonderful post. I can't decide which is more captivating....your lovely pictures or your witty commentary....it has to be both!! I think you made a monumentally (is that even a word?) perfect decision in bordering your hexie quilt with the scrappy fabric....it was just meant to be. I was especially captivated by the second picture of flowers and was so happy when you identified them as Waratah. I don't suppose I can get a bush or even grow it here but I really, really want one. How incredible it is. I always enjoy seeing the progress of your quilts and your playing with flowers. Now I can skip along on my day :-)

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  5. Oh YES, YES, YES Kim, the border is perfect!!!! It works so well because each each of your hexi blocks is bordered with pretty strips of fabrics and now your quilt border picks that up. YEA!! It looks gorgeous! Maisie looks quite pleased with the quilt and her new coiffured look, too. Of course, your happy flowers make all of us happy and cheerful, too. Thanks for sharing, dear Kim.

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  6. Flowers everywhere !!!!!!!!!!!!!! And a dog ;)
    Hug
    Anna

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  7. You have so many lovely fabrics to choose from! I can see why it is hard to decide. Your hexie flowers are so lovely. They are hopping off the computer screen!

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  8. All of your flower photos are so beautiful....and that quilt is absolutely gorgeous but then I knew it would be. I think everything you create looks like spring blossoms! Always a feast for the eyes! I do like your choice of borders--I think it's perfect! Happy spring! xx

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    1. I am a bit of a flower addict, aren't I. =) Flowers do make my heart smile. Thank you so much, lovely Linda, for visiting my place and leaving such sweet comments. It is always delightful to have you pop into my place. Hope you are well, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  9. Just love your quilt and spring blossom is a perfect name for it.

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    1. It is the perfect name, isn't it.....simple but perfect. =) Thank you for visiting my little corner of the world. Your visit has sprinkled sunshine into my day. Kim Xx

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  10. I love the quilt. I also love the butterfly fabric in one of your pictures so pretty. I have never seen Waratah flowers before. They are so pretty.

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  11. Sometimes the simplest of names are the best and your Spring blossoms is the right name for this gorgeous quilt. I, too think that you found the perfect border solution for it!

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  12. Your solution to the border is absolutely perfection...what a beauty Ms. Spring Blossoms has become! And those stunning flowers...I have never seen any like them. I agree with Anna Marie above..."I can't decide which is more captivating....your lovely pictures or your witty commentary....it has to be both!!" Hugs to you, Kim!

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  13. Your border is Perfect! I love the quilt. I have never seen those flowers, but they are wonderful. Such a treat to get your posts.

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    1. Your visit has put a smile in my day; thank you, Carole. Thank you so much for your sweet comments. Hope you are enjoying a fabulous week. Kim Xx

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  14. Your quilt looks lovely! Kim! You definitely made the right border choice.
    Your Waratah flowers are absolutely unique and stunning. I've never seen such a beauty before. Thanks for the photos.
    Happy Spring! 'Tis truly a wonderful season.

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  15. Kim, your post tickled me with all your belly button gazing and such. Your quilt is gorgeous! The butterfly fabric does look a bit "noisy" but perhaps you could make a little drapery swag with it. Against a soft print or a solid fabric, it might appear quieter. xo

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  16. You made the perfect decision for your border, I just love it!! Yes these things take time to decide what would be the best way to go. Good luck figuring out how you want to quilt it now :)
    I love the flowers, so fun to see flowers I have never seen here!!

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  17. Kim, I have never heard of this bush, but the blooms are absolutely gorgeous!! And your quilt!! The pieced border is absolutely perfect! Love it and your cute dog Maizie!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. We have a lot of beautiful natives down here, Jann. The Waratahs are gorgeous, especially at this time of the year. Thank you for your sweet comments. I hope you are feeling better with each day, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  18. You showed these flowers so pretty, I never saw such amazing and beautiful springflowers. The quilt combined perfect with the flowers.
    You are a real flowerlady!

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    1. The Waratahs are beautiful, aren't they. Thank you, Loes, for your kind words. Thank you for visiting. Kim Xx

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  19. Again I'm grinning from ear to ear! Your photos and witty charm just make me smile!! I ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Your hexie flower quilt! Absolutely Perfect!! And your flowers are gorgeous!! Have a grand day my sweet Aussie friend!!

    Lessings and hugs!

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  20. Hello Kim, loving your flower quilt. Strangely I have never seen or heard of your Waratahs before. They are indeed beautiful flowers! I had to google them to find out more so your post was indeed an education, thank you.
    Have a wonderful weekend :)

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    1. Thank you, Prunella for your lovely comments. The Waratah is indeed a beautiful flower which attracts many pretty birds. May you have a most wonderful weekend as well. Thank you for stopping by. Kim Xx

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  21. Kim your pictures and your quilt and your flowers, your sweet commentary,your sweet Maisie,oh my goodness all of it tickled my heart pink today to read it! You did the perfect border for that quilt, what a great idea the fence to border the flowers,wow! Sweet Maisie looks quite proud of herself all coiffered up! Those waratah are absolutely incredibly beautiful and spring is just getting started for you, I know that there are many more flowers about to appear in your garden and I can't wait to see them. I always love reading your little message that you leave in your last picture too, so beautiful Kim, thank you ...have a blessed day!

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  22. The contemplation of one's belly button - a noble pursuit (sez I, as I spent a great deal of time contemplating mine over the angst of creating that miserable grass for my barn). Your latest quilt is a thing of perfection - all that contemplating obviously was worthwhile! And those flowers - how stunning are they!! Tell me - are they as scented as they look?

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  23. I loved taking this walk down the garden path with you, Kim, both inside and out! Your quilt is coming along so beautifully and the Waratah flowers are so pretty and bright. Love seeing them against all your pretty fabrics and ribbons, too. So nice to experience spring while our cold winds start to blow. Hugs xo Karen

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    1. Ooh, cold winds, though Winter in your part of the world is always beautiful. But......I am happy to let you entertain Ol' Man Winter for a while. =) Thank you for visiting my Spring world and leaving such lovely comments, lovely Karen. Enjoy a most beautiful weekend. Kim Xx

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  24. Ohhhhhhhhhh I'm in heaven. Those are such pretty flowers - they make my heart go pitty pat pitty pat. I've never seen or heard of them - what spring treasures they are. And your quilt - it is simply divine - so much work and such pretties. I do so adore your work - and you too, by the way. I wish I was a more is better kind of gal - I'm working on it, but it doesn't come naturally to those of us mere mortals, as it does to you - the queen of everything pretty.

    Our weather has become very fall-like and even close to wintry. The passes in the mountains are getting well over a foot of snow already - way too early - and those needing to get to Eastern Washington are often defeated by the snow - so far we only see a smattering of snow on the hills around - Mt. Baker is hiding in the clouds. I think ski season will be very early this year. We got 2 inches of rain overnight - I enjoyed hearing it in the night - but I wish I could send it to my dear, dear California so they could get some of those monstrous wildfires out - over 5,000 buildings burned - many have perished in the fires and no end in sight - the winds just keep blowing and the fires keep spreading - thousands and thousands of acres have burned already.

    Your lovely spring gives me hope for an end to the fires - thank you so very much for sharing. Have a grand weekend my dear.

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  25. beauty abounds...my heart is skipping beats as well!! i love the boarder you selected, the quilt is fabulous!!

    i'm not sure what i love more about you, your sense of humor or your quilting talents. lets call it a tie!! happy spring to you as autumn settles in here!!!

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  26. Gorgeous flowers. I am not surprised that you picked a scrappy border to encompass all the beautiful colours around you. The added little flowers in the sashing is just perfect. Ms. Maisie looks beautiful as ever, perfect for her new adventures.

    -Soma

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  27. It is so lovely to pop in here for a bit of spring now we are heading into deep autumn here. I love the Waratah bush. I have never seen one before. I wonder if they would like it in the UK... worth looking into! Your quilt is gorgeous! Like a spring meadow!Anna x

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    1. Hello lovely Anna. I wonder if the Waratah would thrive in the UK?? We have a similar climate to the UK, though perhaps it gets a little chillier up there. Thank you for your lovely comments, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  28. Kim that butterfly print is magical! Mimi xxx

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    1. It is isn't it, Mimi. Hope you are enjoying a most beautiful weekend. It is rather magical down here with the sunshine and all the pretty flowers. Kim Xx

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  29. Oh, I really, really LOVE this quilt! It does look like a quilt made in the depression days with those beautiful scrappy bits around the border. Even though you call this a simple finish, I think it looks quite busy and ALIVE! It's wonderful! I hope you do the hexie vine on something soon, as that looks so sweet as well.
    The flowers that bloom in your garden!! What an exotic bloom is the waratah! Are you saying that each of those tiny buds will open up into a tiny flower as well? So pretty. You got some beautiful shots of them.
    Wendy xox

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  30. Ooooooh aaaaaaah oooooooh aaaaaaah magical
    Xx jeanette ann

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